It is that time of year again when the house smells of baking cookies, home made applesauce and baking pumpkin seeds. Here are few recipes to get you started, you can add cinnamon, cloves or all spice to any of these receipes if you wish to get a more spicy scent in the house.
How to Sauté Pumpkin Seeds
Scoop out all the pulp and pumpkin seeds from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pulp.
Rinse the seeds in a large bowl of water to get the remaining pulp off the seeds. Once the seeds float, scoop them out and dry them on a paper towel. Make sure they are completely dry before roasting, baking or sautéing (this could take several hours or overnight).
In a large bowl, mix the dry pumpkin seeds with oil and spices (see recipes below) until the seeds are coated. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat.
Pour pumpkin seeds in the pan and sauté for 5-8 minutes, stir frequently, or until seeds turn a slight brown and are fragrant; place seeds on paper towels and blot remaining oil.
Let cool completely, then store in an air-tight container.
Spicy Pumpkin Seed Recipe
3 cups raw pumpkin seeds
2 Tablespoons olive oil, plain or garlic roasted
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground chili powder
1 teaspoon coarse ground kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
Baked Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
1/2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
Preheat oven to 275 degrees
Combine margarine, salt, garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds
Mix thoroughly and place in shallow dish or cookie sheet
Bake for 1 hour, and stir occasionally
